I had a similar experience, although in a much different part of the world in the summer of 2008 during a sojourn through Jordan. I was especially impressed by the Bedouins who lived in the desert valley of Wadi Rum, amidst the ruins of Petra and throughout the country’s vast desert plains and rolling highlands. Despite their meager accommodations, they lived well and had some surprising amenities (like air conditioning and satellites on top of their knit tents feeding to a small tube television), but most impressive of all was how well they ate in the middle of a seemingly dead landscape. Even more than this, though, was how some of these Bedouin tribesmen seemed to have a knack for understanding their local, niche markets. Guide services, for example, and catering to the Western folks that they could care less about were it not for their relatively deep pockets. The Bedouins of Petra are particularly interesting and have capitalized on the sun-burnt white man who comes to gawk at the carved sandstone – places they call home. Despite this pseudo invasion, they remain tolerant and hospitable…and successful. If you are ever fortunate enough to be treated to a Bedouin meal, they are ruggedly spectacular. They may be served on the ground, and not have any wares to speak of, but I assure you they leave one wondering “Where in the world did all this delicious food come from?”

In any case, your essay just reminded me of the local people of another land which I was fortunate to encounter and interact with – and the occasional envy which would occasionally arise within me, yearning for the simple, close-knit and rugged life that we have so carelessly cast aside and written off as “primitive”.

O, and if anyone ever finds themselves within the gates of the realm of the ancient Nabateans, do not underestimate the haggling prowess of Bedouin children over the age of 5. Those kids can NEGOTIATE!

I’m hoping for good people to take up the latter. Beautiful piece.

Jefferson’s enamored and perhaps idealistic views on the “yeoman farmer-citizen” are not without substantial merit based upon the facts where they continue to exist.

Coffe aint quite coffee till the spoon stands up in it…however exorbitantly sweet it might be!

Oh, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, all of the Balkans, and especially you, Ukraine, please understand that the BBC will never never ever think of you as anything but filthy and maybe even slightly MR step-children of the unholy poly-amorous union of original member states. You’d all do better to run away and return to the orphanage–the sooner the better. To the Baltic countries who think charming Scandinavian architecture better endears them to the masters of the Union: nope, you too.

Despite the risk of sounding insufferably patronizing, I would just like to say that the people of Romania are precious. Ladies like Florica abound, and it’s true that they are always smiling.

Looking forward to more of these posts, Mr. Medaille.